I spent a good portion of Winter
nagging waiting for people to get back to me on a matter that needed their approval. The response time varied from prompt (< 1 week) with no reminders to multiple months with increasingly urgent reminders. For some, I even resorted to pointing out the start date of my upcoming maternity leave, yet at least one person most likely didn't even know I was about to go on maternity leave (I haven't seen him in person since last Spring, and didn't know how exactly to squeeze in this personal bit of information as the few short conversations we have had have been exclusively about work).
Then, when I was sure I would have to resume the
prodding emails a few weeks into my maternity leave, everyone finally signed off on the matter.
I still can't believe that it is done and out the door. I am glad I don't have to restart the process in a few weeks with "Hi, remember me? I may have had a kid, but I still need you to get back to me on X."
Back to my maternity leave, as I were.
4 comments:
Yay for getting sign-offs!
I think if I could change one thing about academia, it would be not having to wait for people to do their bit, when their bit is smaller than all the other bits.
I hate, hate, hate waiting for people to finish their bits! I wish I could do all my work alone!
Hurray!
EGF - I wonder if this is a problem outside of academia as well, or if there are better incentives to respond? (I mean, a publication means a world to me right now, while to a tenured prof it is just a drop in the bucket, yet they have to approve what I have done!)
Psycgirl - me too! But then I think how little I can do all by myself, and collaboration starts to make sense again, except the lack of responsiveness!
Lin - thanks!
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